Militia Leader Refuses Sheriff's Roadside Offer To End Standoff: "I Don't Need An Escort"

Tyler Durden's picture




 

On Tuesday, Harney County Sheriff David Ward told reporters it was time for Ammon Bundy and the group of militiamen occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to “leave the community, go home, and end this peacefully.”

Bundy, we noted, had no such plans.

The handful of armed men holed up in a remote bird sanctuary say they are standing up for state’s rights in a kind of ad hoc, haphazard rekindling of the Sagebrush Rebellion.

The proximate cause for the occupation was the (re)sentencing of Dwight Hammond and his son Steven, who a judge ruled should be sent back to jail in connection with fires the two lit in 2001 and 2006. Although the Hammonds aren’t protesting their sentence, Bundy wants to see them go free before the militiamen give Linda Beck (the biologist at whose desk Bundy now sits at Malheur) her office back.

(from left to right: Bundy, his bodyguard Wes, Dwight Hammond, and Linda Beck)

On Thursday, Sheriff Ward attempted to reason with the men.

In a scene right out of a (bad) movie, Bundy and his bodyguards drove to a “neutral location” that Reuters says was located “along a remote Oregon roadside,” for a meeting with the Sheriff.


In the meeting - which apparently lasted “about five minutes” - Ward offered the men safe passage out of the state if they agreed to cede control of the snowy federal outpost. 

In short, Bundy said no.

As you can see from the video, the Sheriff seems to be at a loss when it comes to figuring out exactly what it is Bundy wants, but he is convinced that it's not safe to open local schools until the standoff is resolved. "We pose no threat whatsoever to the people," Bundy insists. "It only takes one unstable person and we know that," Ward counters.

“Ward told Bundy that he was seeking a peaceful resolution to the nearly week-long standoff and offered to escort the occupiers out of Oregon,” Reuters writes. “But Bundy, saying that the sheriff had not addressed the occupiers' grievances, declined.” "We're being ignored sir," he can be heard saying.

Bundy also seems to have been offended by the notion that he needed a police escort to leave Oregon. "I'm not afraid to go out of state. I don't need an escort,” he later told reporters. Here's a bit more from the Oregonian:

The parley between Bundy and the sheriff lasted between five and 10 minutes and took place in the open, at the intersection of a state highway and the back route to the refuge. It was another in a series of twists and turns the past week that have drawn national and international attention to this sparsely populated high desert country.


Ward was accompanied to the remote location by Sheriffs Brian Wolfe of Malheur County and Andy Long of Tillamook County as well three rigs carrying heavily armed law enforcement officers.

 

Ward met Bundy on the side of Lava Bed Road, a handful of media surrounding the men. Bundy was accompanied by Ryan Payne, a self-styled militiaman from Montana.

 

Ward explained he was there to resolve the standoff. He said he didn't want anyone to get hurt.

 

"We need to find a peaceful resolution and get you guys out of here," he said.

 

Bundy, wearing his trademark cowboy hat, told Ward, "We mean no harm to anybody."

 

Bundy went into his oft-repeated comments about why the militants had arrived to take over the refuge.

 

"We're here for the people of Harney County," he said. "We're here because people were being ignored." He said citizens have complained over and over about federal land-use issues.

 

"Yet, sheriff, you would not address those concerns," Bundy said. "We're getting ignored again."

 

Ward replied, "I didn't come here to argue."

 

The men shook hands, Bundy and Payne returning to the small convoy that brought them to the scene on a gravel road roughly 20 miles east of the refuge. It was apparent Bundy brought a security detail with him.

 

Ward climbed into a sheriff's rig and headed off over back roads to a town hall meeting in the small community of Diamond. He met about 50 citizens there to talk about the refuge occupation and hear their concerns.

And so, there was no common ground to be found on Lava Bed Road near Highway 78. Only a cold (both figuratively and literally) handshake.

The Sheriff would later say that he believes Bundy doesn't feel like the standoff is being taken seriously. "I don't feel like they think they're getting enough attention yet," he remarked.

But while Bundy says he "doesn't need an escort" out of the state, he may get one anyway because as Ward cautiously warned the group on Thursday, "at some point, this is all going to have to be resolved."

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Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:57 | 7018027 Bangin7GramRocks
Bangin7GramRocks's picture

I think that is a perfect solution. Make it uncomfortable. There is absolutely no reason that tax payers should be paying for electricity, heat and water for their slumber party. Shut off utilities, block the road and ignore them. Once the satellite trucks leave, they will slink back home.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 22:01 | 7020209 WOAR
WOAR's picture

I don't see how that's getting down votes. First rule of warfare is to cut off the supply lines.

Starve someone out, and they either won't fight, or if they do, it will be so desperate as to be pathetic.

Since the government wants these "freedom fighter" types to seem pathetic, then that will be the most plausible course of action.

Then again, the gov owned media controls the optics of the situation anyway, so they can portray whoever however they want.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:04 | 7018058 Sweet Cheeks
Sweet Cheeks's picture

Hitlery,

The Oregon protest group seized a building used by seasonal fire fighers in a very remote wilderness area. They have not burned any buildings or threatened any LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers); nor have they inconvenienced any air travelers or Christmas shoppers.

The group's complaint is that the federal government already owns more than 65 % of the land west of Denver. The federal government continually violates private landowner rights at every opportunity to bankrupt the owners and add to their federal holdings.

The government's goal is to run the farmers and ranchers off their property to increase government land ownership. Once the west is won, your property is next.  Wake up.  

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:18 | 7018122 Hitlery_4_Dictator
Hitlery_4_Dictator's picture

Hey, I don't disagree with that. I'm not saying that I agree or disagree with what's happening in OR. That's all I'll say on that. I want no bloodshed on either side. It just doesn't seem smart with what the Bundy's are doing, they are making the wrong side look good.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:34 | 7018209 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

All true, but, but... The 'Militia' assures us that this is not an issue, on which to make a stand. 

Alas, they have not said when it is.  Still waiting for these gun-range heroes an weekend warriors to:

- organize a Million-Man/Person March on DC,

- farmers and ranchers stopping traffic in DC with their rigs, 

- create an NGO that's like ADL or AIPAC on steroids 

- strikes 

- etc, etc 

So... can we expect more meetings, conventions, controlled opposition behavior,  etc?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:43 | 7018599 Demdere
Demdere's picture

Fuck 'making a stand'.

Let us do something effective, like tell the world 9/11 Truth is the issue, and we shut down air traffic until we have an open investigation of that, NOT RUN BY GOVERNMENT, people under oath, and all documents and interrogations put on the network.

Our oligarchy and power structure of Israeli-Neocons, military and CIA criminals, political criminals are not monolithic.  The divisions are weaknesses we citizens can exploit.

To pick an example that will outrage Progressives, it seems to me that the Koch brothers are good folks.  This is an opinion based on reading Koch's book and looking at their companies and the critiques from the left, they appear to be honest and to run honest companies.

Kochs and their supporters can't approve of a US military being the major heroin trafficers of the world nor the deep state that did 9/11.  The guys who own the airlines are likely not fully in favor of that either.

So we have allies and need to give them leverage. So banging on pans and shooting holes in airliners is that leverage.  Anything else can be mis-interpreted, is risky for individuals and the total system, and will break the system in ways that give the bad guys divide-and-conquer leverage.

Tyler : open a thread "Today in revolution", a new one every day so we have a place to put these discussions.

Have you all signed one of the 9/11 Truth petitions?  Where can we pledge support to the politicans who do so and base campaigns on 9/11 Truth?  Carrot and stick.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 22:05 | 7020227 WOAR
WOAR's picture

Saying '9/11' is a good way to be branded crazy, regardless of your evidence. It's a poisoned well. Stop drinking it.

Talking about BLM thuggery, and how mandatory minimum sentences are bullshit (which is why the Hammonds are going to jail), however, are good issues to talk about.

They haven't been posioned...yet. We'll see what the Oregon situation does to those issues.

No one gives two fucks about the Koch Brothers. Bring up civil asset forfeiture, however...

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:15 | 7018438 crossroaddemon
crossroaddemon's picture

The trouble is they're going to lose.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 16:40 | 7018921 Holy Roller Empire
Holy Roller Empire's picture

I call bullshit on this. At least in the case of Bundy senior, the dude owes over a million $ grazing fees that are pennies per animal for fucking up the land with degraded soil, water and ecosystem. "Their" property is the federal government's property and has been since statehood. It time to kick their butts off the land for good and let it heal.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 17:51 | 7019239 1033eruth
1033eruth's picture

No, they don't owe over a million in grazing fees.  Its just like the IRS.  A $10,000 underpayment multiplies due to interest, fines and penalties.  

Bundy offered to make payments to the state and the state refused the grazing fees.  He believes the state owns the property, not the federal government and constitutionally, HE IS CORRECT.  

How many times does the lie get repeated that Bundy owes over a million in grazing fees?  I'll bet you 99% of the people that read the lie will believe it.  

You sir, are a MESSENGER OF BULLSHIT.   

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 22:38 | 7020334 Holy Roller Empire
Holy Roller Empire's picture

The nutjob doesn't even recognize that the United States government exists. That's how he thinks the land belongs to the state. The courts disagree. Again, I call BULLSHIT on your bullshit.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:29 | 7018181 Perimetr
Perimetr's picture

The militia needs to stand down.  If they don't have a plan on how to resolve this peacefully, it will turn into a gunfight. Then they get killed and the Feds have an excuse to take away weapons. 

http://videos.oregonlive.com/oregonian/2016/01/congressman_greg_walden_a...

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:36 | 7018221 Hitlery_4_Dictator
Hitlery_4_Dictator's picture

Sorry, just because a few people got killed in a firefigght that I had nothgin to do with is not reason for anyone to tkae away anyone's weapons. 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 16:16 | 7018784 sleigher
sleigher's picture

Even if it is the "militia"?  I agree with you, but I bet our progressive friends in the District of Cunts could make an argument...

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 19:27 | 7019585 STP
STP's picture

I upvoted you, because you put the link to the video.  Very good video.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 17:01 | 7019051 Angel_Eyes
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Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:46 | 7017984 mandalou
mandalou's picture

Anybody else thinks this is NWO planned bullshit with both sides having one boss?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:55 | 7018018 chunga
chunga's picture

Oh yeah, state's rights and ranchers are definately a big part of the NWO plan.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:58 | 7018033 mandalou
mandalou's picture

Now your twisting ideas which make you look ignorant. If you are the Big boss what would you use in a plan to take away state rights. Maybe use ranchers fighting for state rights and somehow make them the bad guys to the rest of the country? Do tell Ol Wise Chunga.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:10 | 7018093 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Agreed. This stinks to high heaven.   

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:01 | 7018040 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Maybe Bundy and his crew are just there to make militias look dangerous and unstable in order to help Zero advance is anti-gun agenda. 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:11 | 7018094 chunga
chunga's picture

That could very well be.

Right now there is only ONE situation like this going on and the Huffpo and DU crowd is against it because they love gov. The freerepublic crowd is against it because law and order. The ZH crowd is against it because false flags.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:20 | 7018466 crossroaddemon
crossroaddemon's picture

I'm against it because strategic blunder.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:40 | 7018586 chunga
chunga's picture

That's the important thing. Just be against it. Always be against people that stand up to the govt.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 16:14 | 7018769 Implied Violins
Implied Violins's picture

Fuck you and your blanket labeling bullshit statement. You want some action? Why don't you get out there and stir some up? And go choose an open area with no surrounding cover and no witnesses to vet what will end up happening, where no one living there wants a DAMN thing to do with you.

This is a BAD SETUP. Their goals are vague and don't resonate with the MSM brainwashed people. They are imposing their views on people who want them GONE. This isn't a Vicky Weaver/Waco/Bundy Ranch scenario where you can easily tell good guys from bad guys. Anyone going up against the government stands NO CHANCE whatsoever at winning if they don't have the sheeple on their side morally.

All this will end up doing is labeling all militias as wackos, and with far more gun rights taken away. And this is being done BY DESIGN, as there are provacateurs in Ammon's circle jerking him around. This is a NO WIN scenario. Are you afraid that this will be the only chance for people to stand up to government? Were you aware that the OathKeepers were present not only at Bundy Ranch, but at Ferguson and two mines in Oregon before this? They ARE taking stands, and getting results. It just isn't in the media, like this debacle. And I suppose that is by design, too.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 16:55 | 7019016 chunga
chunga's picture

It sounds to me like you're thinking about this like it's some sort of tactical battlefield where these guys intend to engage the govt. in a war. 

The fact is - the govt. is out of control and way too big and getting bigger. The Hammonds are in prison. Where are your oathkeepers now? I support the IDEA of resisting and I'm not going to let the focus be Bundy. What makes you so sure everybody wants them gone...comments on MSM websites? There are provocateurs everywhere and one of these days, at the rate we're going it WILL be the last chance to stand up so you can go fuck yourself as far as I'm concerned.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 17:01 | 7019057 Implied Violins
Implied Violins's picture

The Hammonds themselves told them to leave. For me, that's enough. If the people you are supposedly there to help don't care to stand up for themselves, then it's all a wasted effort. If they had not gone into prison and were holed up with the Bundys right now, this would be an entirely different story. The place would be crawling with OathKeepers.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 17:11 | 7019108 chunga
chunga's picture

Are you and your oathkeepers positive Hammond wasn't threatened? All this would be, could be shit is tiring.

http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/explosive-interview-i-just-got-off...

 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 21:54 | 7020186 Freedom Pilot
Freedom Pilot's picture

"The Hammonds themselves told them to leave. For me, that's enough."

I don't think it's necessarily inappropriate to make a stand against tyrants just because the victims don't want any help or support.  This issue isn't just about the victims themselves--it's about tyranny against everyone. 

I'm not making any comment about the current stand--only that I don't think the fact that the victims don't want support should mean that's the end of it.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:45 | 7018263 Down to Earth T...
Down to Earth Thinking's picture

Nope, Bundy did all this because the angel Moroni and Joseph Smith apparently directed him to ? That is why I said early on it was ill conceived and very misguided from the get go, because it simply was. No reason to add a bunch of stuff that does not exist in any matter ? Usually it is all much more simplistic than most want to acknowledge.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:58 | 7018031 eyesofpelosi
eyesofpelosi's picture

Last I read, since the 90's, militia groups probably all have been infiltrated by various agencies of the Yankee government...

This smells like a set-up.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:14 | 7018110 XuscitizenSweden
XuscitizenSweden's picture

That's right eyesp_.

Definitely a gov't Set-Up.Handsdown.

However, the joker in the cards this time is......the Mormons.

Let's not 'underestimate'.......the Will of God. Heavy-Duty consequences if the Fed's fuck up.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:27 | 7018176 Hitlery_4_Dictator
Hitlery_4_Dictator's picture

LOL the Mormons, aren't they a non-violent peaceful group. I just don't see them doing anything. 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:52 | 7018639 Lurk Skywatcher
Lurk Skywatcher's picture

They are organized, they are stubborn, they work in pairs and they ain't afraid to knock on anyones door. If they had a message worth listening to and concealed carry they could be a force to be reckoned with.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 22:23 | 7020280 WOAR
WOAR's picture

This is a hilarious thought.

"Do you have time for the Lord Jesus? We're on a mission from God."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4YrCFz0Kfc

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:42 | 7018256 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

Mormons (with their NSA base in Utah) are America's new Geheime Staats Polizei. 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:51 | 7018307 noless
noless's picture

There is zero reason to try to organise while they can still run the printers, how do people not get this? They have infinite money; they can hire anyone, anywhere, to do anything, for as long as they want.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:23 | 7018491 crossroaddemon
crossroaddemon's picture

I said that upthread. Hedgers grossly underestimate how deep this hole we're in is. It's going to take a miracle or a catastrophe for us to dig out within our lifetimes.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 15:08 | 7018403 Totentänzerlied
Totentänzerlied's picture

Militia groups and all other dissident/activist groups.

What?? Next you'll try to tell me the UK and France were running guns to Syria!

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:01 | 7018043 Down to Earth T...
Down to Earth Thinking's picture

No , this is just people being a bit foolish and misguided for the wrong reasons. I hope Bundy rethinks his position for many reasons, although I completely agree with the underlying issues at hand. This entire scenario was a bad idea for many reasons from the get go and well past flawed in rationale.

Ammon Bundy please take Oath Keepers and 3%ers advice and unwind this thing while you still can to a good end ? You may end up doing far more harm than good my man ! 

 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:08 | 7018080 More Ammo
More Ammo's picture

Have you not seen the maps for agend 21 or 2030 or whatever they want to call it now?

Check out this map, they want every state to look like Navada...

http://bigthink.com/strange-maps/291-federal-lands-in-the-us

The federal government owns large tracts of the western states: from a low of 29.9% in Montana, already more than the national average, up to a whopping 84.5% in Nevada.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:15 | 7018117 Sweet Cheeks
Sweet Cheeks's picture

More Ammo,
The problem is that the US government is hell bent to use Agenda 21 or whatever the UN calls it now to destroy ownership of private property.  It is easier to start that confiscation in places out west because the population is so small that there are few to protest federal over reach?  

And to those like Montel Williams who want to send in the militia to kill the Oregon bunch, why didn't you advance that solution for Ferguson or Baltimore where real damage to took place with the burning, looting, and attacks on Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs). 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:44 | 7018264 Herd Redirectio...
Herd Redirection Committee's picture

If anyone has read "Brave New World", the idea of 'savage reservations' is one the elite very much wish to implement.  Basically, people can only live in cities, and even travel to rural areas is highly restricted.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:45 | 7018271 T.Gracchus
T.Gracchus's picture

We should let dear Montel steam in there, Hollywood gravy dripping from his anus, and take back Oregon for .....errrr...for...CNBC?

Not sure how much more surreal this can get.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:49 | 7017988 wildbad
wildbad's picture

sure..the feds and their federalized cops sure like playing nicey nicey but their dreams and goals are dark.  praise and respect to bundy and the real heroes of the coming revolution.  may you live long.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:54 | 7018007 exi1ed0ne
exi1ed0ne's picture

Of course, the cameras were rolling.  This was a photo op to show the Sheriff as the good guy and offering a way out.  No way in fuck they would have walked away free men.

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:48 | 7017989 bnbdnb
bnbdnb's picture

Is that Larry the Cable Guy?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 13:49 | 7017990 Budd aka Sidewinder
Budd aka Sidewinder's picture

Bundy has made his point

This isn't the hill to die on

If he had left after this meeting it would have been a perfect resolution

The longer they stayed holed up the better the odds they get taken out and it will setback the liberty movement in the eyes of the rest of the people

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:04 | 7018060 Down to Earth T...
Down to Earth Thinking's picture

agree, see my other comments and links on other posts/articles for more details 

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 14:06 | 7018070 Titus
Titus's picture

This is why good leadership in moments like these is CRITICAL. Unless the leader is a CIA operative, in which case he's doing a very good job.

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